When you decide to start a business, you will experience many challenges and important decisions early on, from securing funding, to attracting clients, to determining the type of business entity you should establish. As you go through the process, you should be sure not to overlook the importance of obtaining the permits and licenses your business will need to operate in compliance with the laws and regulations for your area. A business law attorney can help you identify the permits and licenses you will need and guide you through the process of getting them.

Common Business Permits and Licenses

Different permits and licenses are necessary depending on your business’s location, industry, and the products or services you provide. There are likely others that your business will need to pursue, but some of the most common examples include:

It may be awkward to bring up the possibility of a prenuptial agreement with your partner, as it can be uncomfortable to think about divorce before the marriage even begins. However, a prenuptial agreement can be more than just a safeguard for your assets in the event of a divorce. It can also be an opportunity for you and your spouse to have an open discussion about your finances and help you remain aware of each other’s needs and priorities throughout your marriage.

Items to Address in a Prenuptial Agreement

Couples can choose to address a variety of issues in their discussions and prenuptial agreements, primarily related to their financial and property interests. Some important topics include:

The COVID-19 outbreak across the U.S. has left many Americans wondering how they will make rent payments and what will happen if they are unable to do so. For the past few months, a residential eviction moratorium has been in place, restricting residential tenants from being evicted due to late rent payments. This moratorium has been extended on multiple occasions, but is intended to conclude at the end of July. A new state grant program is beginning in August to provide financial assistance to those who are struggling to make rent payments, yet this may not be enough for many Illinois residents to stay afloat for long.

In mid-July, the Illinois Supreme Court adopted a new rule for eviction proceedings that will go into effect immediately. Whether it is in response to COVID-19’s effect on renters or was a longtime coming, new Rule 139 requires aims to better inform all parties involved in eviction cases.

In the instance that you become unable to handle your own affairs, either financially or medically, it is important that you have a power of attorney (POA) set in place. This allows you to designate who will be in charge of your affairs if you are unable to do so on your own. The person designated to handle the affairs is known as the “agent” and the person who the POA concerns is known as the “principal.” If you are intending on getting your affairs in order, it is important to work with a reputable estate planning attorney to ensure that the POA is valid and the proper terms are included.

General POA Requirements

There are a number of requirements that must be met when creating a POA in the state of Illinois. In order for the legal document to be valid, the agent must be designated by name and their powers must be outlined. POAs are unique to your circumstances so you should include, in detail, what your agent is legally responsible for. This person must be at least 18 years of age. The POA must be signed by the principal and at least one witness must be present. The principal must also acknowledge their signature, and thus their consent to the POA, in front of a notary public, or attorney.

If you are on the job hunt or have recently been hired by a new company, it is important that you review the contract given to you by your new employer. Many new hires will sign employment contracts relieved to have found a job rather than skeptical about the contract’s details. No matter how much your employer appears to explain the contract in front of you, there is always the chance that some details are being left out. One of the terms that you may overlook is a non-compete agreement hidden within the pages of text. Many employers will be upfront about this agreement to avoid any future contention while others may fail to mention what this means for you as an employee of their company. In order to avoid this confusion, you should always take the time to review your hiring contract with a reputable business attorney.

What is a Non-Compete Agreement?

Evident in the name, this contractual agreement restricts employees from working for or becoming a competitor for a set period of time. These non-compete agreements, also known as covenants not to compete (CNC), are enforced when an employee separates from their employer and the employer wants to prevent the employee from taking on a position that would be considered their competitor. Depending on the details of the agreement, these CNC regulations can last weeks, months, or even years after leaving your place of employment. This is meant to protect the company’s secrets and to keep the employee from poaching other employees to work alongside them.